LCR announce £10m seed fund for small businesses

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Launched today at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s flagship business conference – LCR Talking Business conference – is a £10 million LCR Seed Fund, a bold new initiative to accelerate the growth of innovative early-stage businesses across the Liverpool City Region.

Backed by Mayor Steve Rotheram, this fund is open to all sectors, with a special focus on the region’s key growth areas:

Advanced Manufacturing
Digital & Creative Industries
Health & Life Sciences

On the launch, Mayor Rotheram shared: “This fund is not just about financial returns.
It’s about inclusive growth—supporting our next generation of innovators, job creators, and entrepreneurs to stay, scale and succeed in our region. Because talent is everywhere—but opportunity is not. We’re changing that.”

The LCR Seed Fund is aimed at early stage businesses with world-class products or services in any sector and particularly welcomes applications from LCR’s growth sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Creative, and Health and Life Sciences.

You may already have taken some investment, for example from friends and family, angels, crowdfunding or an incubator, which has got you started and proved your business model, so you are ready for the next stage.  The LCR Seed Fund can provide that vital finance to take you to Series A and B funding. It can be part of a larger funding round.”

Apply here – https://growthplatform.org/liverpool-city-region-seed-fund/

LSTM Vice-Chancellor Professor David Lalloo recognised in King’s Birthday Honours for services to global health

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Professor David Lalloo, Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, has been appointed Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) in The King’s Birthday Honours List(link is external)(opens in a new tab).  

Professor Lalloo has been recognised for services to Global Health and International Development, and leadership in Higher Education.

The Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a UK national honour that recognises service in a foreign country, or in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

The King’s Birthday Honours list recognises the achievements and service of people across the UK, from all walks of life.

Over thirty years, Professor Lalloo has been a leading figure in infectious disease research and global health, and his work is widely recognised as delivering a positive impact on disadvantaged communities across the globe.

Professor Lalloo said: “I am delighted and privileged to receive this honour and do so on behalf of LSTM and the scientific research and global health communities whose tireless commitment and skill help to build healthier lives across the world.

“Global health research and education are collective endeavours, underpinned by trusted, equitable partnerships in countries most affected by the burden of disease. This award would not have occurred without the advice, support and collaboration of so many inspirational colleagues.”

Professor Lalloo has led LSTM since 2019 and was named as its first Vice-Chancellor last year. He is also an Honorary Consultant at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and maintains an active research portfolio in HIV related infections, snakebite and malaria.

He has held significant national and international advisory roles and his research has influenced WHO treatment guidelines, with his work on snake envenoming over three decades contributing to the recognition of snakebite as a neglected tropical disease. In 2024, he was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

During his tenure as LSTM head, LSTM ranked second for impact in its first solo REF submission, was nominated for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards and received a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize. He has overseen a huge capital redevelopment, including as a key part of the team to deliver the groundbreaking CREATOR medical research and training facility at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme.

Jim McKenna, Chair of the Board of Trustees at LSTM, said: “This award is richly deserved. David is an inspirational leader, not just at LSTM but on a global stage, dedicating his career to improving the health and life chances for some of the world’s poorest communities.

“Over three decades, David has led groundbreaking research, provided strategic counsel to governments in moments of national crisis, and mentored the next generation of clinicians, scientists and researchers.

“His work has had a real impact, and on behalf of LSTM’s Board I would like to congratulate him for this achievement.”

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral upgraded to Grade I listed status

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The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has awarded The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool Grade I listed status, following advice from Historic England. The cathedral, previously Grade II* listed, is now nationally recognised as a building of the highest architectural and historical interest.

Built between 1962 and 1967, the cathedral represents the greatest Roman Catholic post-war architectural commission in Britain. It was built over an earlier Sir Edwin Lutyens-designed crypt, intended to be part of a grand classical-style Catholic cathedral in Liverpool that began in the 1930s, but construction was halted, largely due to financial constraints and the outbreak of the Second World War.

The upgrade of the cathedral’s listing status reflects a deeper understanding of Sir Frederick Gibberd’s architectural vision and the cathedral’s significance as an international example of progressive Roman Catholic architecture during the mid-20th century.

A revolution in cathedral design

The cathedral’s revolutionary design features make it an architectural landmark of the highest order. Gibberd’s centralised plan with a unified worship space was unprecedented in British cathedral design, allowing congregations to participate more fully in the visual drama of the Mass.

The striking central lantern or ‘corona’ filled with coloured glass by John Piper and Patrick Reyntiens uses an innovative technique of cementing glass with epoxy resin pre-cast within tracery of thin concrete ribs – a method invented specifically for this building.

The cathedral also features numerous artistic collaborations of exceptional quality, including William Mitchell’s Evangelist entrance doors and carving to the bell tower, Elizabeth Frink’s crucifix, David Atkins’ geometrical floor pattern, Ceri Richards’ work in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and coloured glass by Margaret Traherne in multiple chapels.

This fusion of modern architecture with fine art epitomises the progressive shift following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), which emphasised the full, conscious, and active participation of the congregation in Catholic worship.

Hopwood Hall Chapel listing enhancement

Alongside this upgrade, Historic England has enhanced the existing Grade II listing for Hopwood Hall Chapel in Middleton, Greater Manchester. Built in 1964-1965 to Gibberd’s designs and executed by Reynolds and Scott, this smaller chapel shares design features with its more famous Liverpool counterpart, including a centralised sanctuary lit by a lantern tower of concrete and coloured glass.

Sir Frederick Gibberd

Sir Frederick Gibberd (1908-1984), who was knighted in 1967, was a leading figure in the emergence of Modern architecture in Britain. He made major contributions to Britain’s post-war reconstruction and civic design, including Harlow New Town, the first Heathrow terminal buildings, and several power stations.

Sarah Charlesworth, Historic England’s Listing Team Leader North, said:

“Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral transformed British cathedral design with its revolutionary centralised plan, representing a radical departure from traditional designs. Sir Frederick Gibberd’s masterpiece, built upon Lutyens’ earlier crypt, showcases extraordinary artistic collaboration and stands as one of Britain’s most significant post-war architectural achievements.”

Archbishop John Sherrington, Archbishop of Liverpool, said:

“I welcome the announcement that Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been recognised as a Grade I listed building. It commands the Liverpool skyline and is visible for miles around. The building has been described as ‘the soul of the city’ and brings hope to thousands who visit each year. The colours of the stained glass and revolutionary architectural style help raise their minds and hearts beyond this world to the transcendent and to God.

It is very significant that the cathedral has been recognised during the Jubilee Year which has the theme ‘pilgrims of hope’. I hope the upgraded listed status allows us to welcome even more pilgrims to our striking Mother Church.

I thank all who have contributed to the upkeep and repair of the building for over 60 years and pray that we may care nationally for this building of the highest architectural and historical interest.”

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: 

“Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral’s Grade I status honours Sir Frederick Gibberd’s architectural brilliance and recognises his visionary design, which created a landmark that continues to inspire people. Liverpool’s iconic Cathedral is a truly remarkable and much-loved building which deserves to be protected so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Kim Johnson MP for Liverpool Riverside said:

“I’m absolutely delighted that the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been awarded Grade I listed status. As a world-renowned and instantly recognisable symbol of Liverpool, it is deeply embedded in our city’s identity. This recognition rightly honours its architectural significance and the prominent place it holds in our skyline – a true jewel in Liverpool’s crown.”

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said:

“Liverpool is a city with a proud architectural and cultural heritage, and the Metropolitan Cathedral is one of its most iconic landmarks. The bold, modern design broke new ground and has become a beacon of faith, hope and innovation, not just for our region but across the world.

“This Grade I listing rightly recognises its architectural brilliance and enduring importance to the Liverpool City Region’s identity. It’s a welcome and well-deserved honour.

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said:

“The elevation of the Metropolitan Cathedral to Grade I listed status is a proud moment for Liverpool. This recognition not only honours a masterpiece of modern architecture but also celebrates the spirit of innovation and resilience that epitomises our city. The cathedral stands as a beacon of creativity, community, hope and faith and is a powerful symbol of Liverpool’s cultural and architectural legacy.”

Catherine Croft, Director of the Twentieth Century Society, said:

“The ‘Wigwam’ or ‘The Mersey Funnel’, as it’s affectionately known among locals, is unique in world architecture and has long been a powerful homecoming beacon for Liverpudlians.

Liverpool now rightly has two magnificent Grade I listed cathedrals which together demonstrate just how varied, exciting, and emotionally uplifting twentieth century architecture can be.

A great vessel of post-war glass, sculpture and design, the listing upgrade will help ensure the modernist cathedral’s careful long-term conservation and appreciation by all who visit – to worship or just to marvel.”

The Missing Pieces Project: Add your information about Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Hopwood Hall Chapel

We’d love you to add your story about Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Hopwood Hall Chapel to the Missing Pieces Project. It could be a photo or something you know about the listed building. You can add photos, drawings, audio, film, or text.

Everything you add is an important piece of the picture. And the more pieces of the picture we have, the better we can celebrate and protect what makes these places special.

Through the Missing Pieces Project, Historic England invites everyone to discover the listed places on their doorstep and contribute their own unique piece to the picture by adding photos, videos, stories and memories on the National Heritage List for England.

Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub opens – new outpatient centre

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The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has opened a new dedicated outpatient facility – known as Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub – close to its main hospital in Liverpool and Edge Lane / Mount Vernon Road.

Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub will provide a wide range of outpatient services including clinics and group pre-assessment sessions in comfortable surroundings away from a busy hospital setting. Patients attending renal cancer and skin cancer clinics were the first to visit the new hub, which opened to patients on Tuesday 3rd June. It means that a number of clinics can move from Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Liverpool into the new health hub. These clinics will continue to be run by the same specialist teams from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and patients will received the same expert care.

Patients whose clinic appointments are moving to Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub will be contacted in advance. They will be sent information about the new health hub explaining how to get there, along with a map. The health hub has some parking on site for Blue Badge holders, along with drop-off facilities. The health hub is also very close to Paddington Village Car Park and is conveniently located for bus routes.

The new health hub’s address is:

Clatterbridge Paddington Health Hub
2 Mason Street
Edge Hill
Liverpool
L7 3EW (Google Maps)

The building is also home to Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre, which is on the ground floor. Paddington Community Diagnostic Centre is a separate NHS service providing easier access to tests and scans for people referred by their GPs, hospitals or other health professionals.

Author and robot dog take children’s book on tour of Liverpool City Region schools

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A unique children’s innovation book set in Liverpool is the focus of a new roadshow visiting the city region’s primary schools.

 

The Animates: Learning in Liverpool, written in partnership with Connected Places Catapult,  follows the adventures of six animal creatures who crash land in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) and must explore a range of different technologies around the innovation district in order to repair their ship and return home, aided by Splodge the robot dog. A copy of the book, accompanied by bespoke lesson plans, was delivered to every primary school in the city region at the end of last year.

 

Now, Liverpool-based author Natalie Reeves Billing is embarking on the interactive showcase tour around Liverpool City Region, aiming to reinforce the central ambition of the book by inspiring young minds about the types of innovations and careers pathways open to them. 

 

The roadshow sessions got underway this week at Forefield Infant School in Crosby, featuring a reading by Natalie and co-host Jude Lennon,  robot dog demonstrations from the Manufacturing Technology Centre and LJMU School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, rocket ship building workshops and a sing-along to the newly-created Animates theme tune.

 

The Animates: Learning in Liverpool is part of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s KQ Futures programme, which is funded by the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, part of the UK Government’s Investment Zone programme. The book was devised with support from CBRE, Kier, Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, Lloyds, Morgan Sindall and Sciontec. 

 

Rachel Newman, inclusive innovation officer at KQ Liverpool, said: “When we launched the book last year, it was an instant hit with pupils and teachers alike, and we were thrilled to provide all local schools with a copy. The roadshow feels like a natural extension of that work – finding new, creative ways to engage with young people and open their minds to the endless opportunities for innovation careers here in their home city.”

 

Natalie Reeves Billing, said: “The Animates is one of my most cherished projects. Children each have their own special talents and gifts, and the purpose of this book is to show them how their own skills might fit within the innovation sector.  It is wonderful to see the children engaging so enthusiastically with the story and enjoying our new theme song and hopefully the session has made a small but lasting impact on their future outlook.” 

 

Mark Hall, head of Year 1 at Forefield Junior School, said: “It’s never too early to introduce young minds to concepts around science or technology, and we want to inspire them to explore a broad range of ideas and opportunities. The Animates book is a great way to do this and reinforce the fact they can build impressive skills and careers within a few miles of where they live. The robot dog was also a very popular visitor!”

 

Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Innovation said: “This is such an inspiring initiative. Through the Animates Roadshow, we’re not only igniting young imaginations, but we are also showing our young people that the world of science, technology, and creativity is right on their doorstep. By embedding innovation into education, we are equipping the next generation with the skills, confidence, and curiosity to shape our Liverpool City Region.”

 

Collaboration between KQ Liverpool and Kensington Fields Community Association

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Innovation district organisations supports local charity food provision 

Kensington Fields Community Association (KFCA) provides vital services to the residents of one of the country’s most deprived wards.

The centre provides a much-needed programme of activities and weekly classes, runs social groups, and offers financial and well-being advice to keep people connected and feeling supported. Another key element of this support is related to food provision, enabling the local community to access affordable and good-quality food and groceries through the KFCA pantry. 

Helen Ball, Business Development Manager at KFCA, said:

“Our pantry is open to everyone in Kenny, and we provide emergency food support in times of crisis, run family food nights, and older and vulnerable persons lunch clubs to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry.

“We are also proud to help educate people around healthy eating with our cookery classes for both kids and adults, and by offering relaxing growing activities in the centre’s community allotment.”

To run the KFCA pantry, the charity relies on grants from charitable bodies, which are becoming increasingly harder to secure meaning they are also seeking donations from caring individuals and local organisations. 

Claire Kidman, Head of Partnerships at KQ Liverpool, added:

“We are pleased to announce that KQ Liverpool will be supporting the Kensington Fields Community Association by providing pantry donation points at a number of sites across our innovation district. 

“This initiative aligns with our 2040 Vision, and it’s important to us that we support the communities around us. It’s especially meaningful to know that our contributions will directly benefit those in need within our local area.”

The first donation points are already located in two of KQ Liverpool’s spin-out development company Sciontec’s innovation centres at Liverpool Science Park (iC1 Entrance Lounge and iC2 Entrance Lounge) with the next location being CENTRAL TECH (Ground floor Atrium).

KQ Liverpool would like to encourage businesses, stakeholders, and colleagues to contribute to this collection, which will be ongoing throughout the year. 

We would especially welcome any donations of items from the list below:

  • Tinned meat
  • Tinned tuna
  • Veg / Tomato Soup – Tinned or packet
  • Cereals
  • Sanitary products
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Beans 
  • Sugar

For further information about the Kensington Fields Community Association, please visit their website.

Liverpool City Region innovation heavyweights agree collaboration pact

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Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district and the Sci-Tech Daresbury national science and innovation campus, incorporating the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), will work together to identify potential future projects, investment opportunities and access to facilities.

Both locations are key pillars in the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences and Healthcare Innovation Zone. Health and life sciences contributes £5bn to the city region economy, representing 14.2% of GVA (gross value added) – nearly double the average for England. There are 1,800 businesses involved in health and life sciences in the region, with 97,000 health-related jobs and 6,000 in life sciences.

The new memorandum of understanding will also involve hosting visits or delegations, contributing to the city region’s long-term, innovation-led development agenda, and amplifying its profile among external stakeholders.

KQ Liverpool and Sci-Tech Daresbury already share intelligence as part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Board, while both have also been awarded Innovation Zone funding by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The opportunity for a closer working relationship between the two locations as created by the MOU has the potential to result in major economic and scientific outcomes given the pedigree and achievements to date of both sites. 

Sci-Tech Daresbury’s cutting-edge infrastructure, access to world-class expertise, and highly effective collaborative environment make the campus a leader in transformative advancements in science and technology. It is home to over 160 businesses and has aspirations to bring 8,000 jobs to the campus through its medium-long term expansion

The campus hosts STFC’s internationally renowned Daresbury Laboratory. This brings unparalleled expertise in particle accelerator technology, nuclear physics, high-performance computing, quantum computing and AI — key technologies driving innovation across a range of sectors including life sciences and healthcare, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and digital technologies. 

One of the most significant assets at Sci-Tech Daresbury is STFC’s Hartree Centre, a world-leading facility that leverages advanced digital technologies such as supercomputing, AI, and quantum computing in partnership with IBM Research who have one of their international Research Labs on the campus. This has helped to deliver breakthroughs across a range of sectors including life sciences and healthcare, logistics, energy and advanced manufacturing.

KQ Liverpool is a 450-acre urban innovation district that occupies over 50% of Liverpool city centre. This world-leading innovation district is home to some of the world’s most influential players in science, health, technology, education, music, and the creative performing arts 

It has world-class specialisms in medical research including infection and disease, public health and clinical informatics, surface science and biofilms, materials chemistry, sports science, manufacturing technology, modern methods of construction, immersive technologies, artificial intelligence and robotics. These are brought to life through its world-leading facilities including; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool Science Park, Materials Innovation Factory, Digital Innovation Factory, and CENTRAL TECH, which was recently acquired by KQ Liverpool’s spin-out development company, Sciontec.

The impact of the closer working relationship between the two locations will be instrumental for the future standing of the Liverpool City Region as a science and innovation powerhouse.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“From the world’s first passenger railway to breakthroughs that have shaped modern science and healthcare, the Liverpool City Region has always led from the front.

“Today, that legacy continues with two of our biggest innovation powerhouses – KQ Liverpool and Sci-Tech Daresbury – joining forces to drive forward growth and opportunity for our region.

“This partnership is another step on our journey to becoming a genuine science and innovation superpower – and proof that if you want to shape the future, you should be looking to the Liverpool City Region.”

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, said:

“The Liverpool City Region has enormous potential for growth, underpinned by a strong and vibrant knowledge economy. It’s vital, therefore, that Sci-Tech Daresbury and KQ Liverpool, which are at the forefront of that positive change, work together wherever possible to create a robust innovation ecosystem and a compelling narrative for investment. 

“We look forward to collaborating further with Sci-Tech Daresbury, STFC and UKRI to generate even more opportunities and positive outcomes for people living and working across the city region.”

John Downes, chair of Sci-Tech Daresbury, said:

“Sci-Tech Daresbury is a national and international facility and key asset for the Liverpool City Region having STFC’s national laboratory at its centre, and is an outstanding example of public and private open innovation collaboration. 

“We look forward to working closer with the Knowledge Quarter to raise the profile of the city region internationally as an innovation hotspot that is the perfect location for groundbreaking technology businesses to locate.”

Paul Vernon, Head of STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory said:

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our shared vision for the Liverpool City Region. Here at Daresbury Laboratory, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in a range of sectors including science, healthcare and digital technologies. 

“By combining and sharing our resources and strengths with KQ Liverpool, we are able to unlock a wealth of opportunity for growth and innovation.”

New collaboration with Dstl to tackle emerging health threats

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A new collaboration between The Pandemic Institute (TPI) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is set to fund vital research into emerging infectious diseases. The initiative will bring together researchers from both organisations with the aim of strengthening the UK’s ability to detect, understand and combat known and emerging pathogens.

The collaboration will build on a shared goal of both organisations to understand and reduce the risks of known and new infections. Bringing together experts in infectious diseases and pandemic research from different organisations is essential for improving the UK’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from these threats. This collaboration will support several research projects which will draw on the expertise of both organisations, including developing new diagnostic tests, evaluating new therapeutics and using cutting edge technology to better understand viral pathogens.

Nine projects are being funded in total, one of which will use artificial intelligence to predict virus-host interactions, aiding the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics.

Dr Femi Olorunniji, Reader in Synthetic Biology at Liverpool John Moores University, highlighted its potential:

“By applying AI, we can accelerate the process of discovering how viruses interact with human cells, making it easier to develop targeted treatments and stop infections in their tracks.”

Professor Tom Solomon CBE, Director of The Pandemic Institute, emphasised the importance of the collaboration: 

“The recent global health crises have shown us that we must be proactive rather than reactive when dealing with infectious threats. This collaboration with Dstl will ensure that we are at the forefront of scientific innovation, developing tools that could be crucial in preventing future pandemics.”

Dr Stuart Perkins, Programme Manager at Dstl stated:

“This joint programme encourages and supports our scientists to work within national multidiscipline teams and will allow Dstl to access novel tools and products, being developed within academia, that could be utilised within the defence and security arena. It generates value for money and ensures cohesion across defence and academic research. The programme strengthens Dstl’s mission to ensure our armed forces maintain operational effectiveness at all times, even in the event they were exposed to infectious agents”.

The partnership between TPI and Dstl represents an exciting step forward in pandemic preparedness, ensuring that the UK remains at the cutting edge of infectious disease research. You can find a full list of funded projects here.

A memorable March for KQ Liverpool

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We know March can be a busy time for many organisations, but at KQ Liverpool and our spin-out development company Sciontec, it’s been especially action-packed.

The month began with a special In The Know event to celebrate International Women’s Day. The ‘Accelerate Action’ session, hosted at Sciontec’s Garden Suite in Liverpool Science Park, featured a fascinating panel discussion with Professor Ana Bras from Liverpool John Moores University, Jen Fenner of DefProc Engineering and Philippa Glover from Philippa Glover Ltd, emphasising the urgent need to address gender inequalities and dismantle the obstacles that can impede women’s progress.

The following day, our assistant chief executive Emily Robson received a richly-deserved Rising Star award at the Women in Business Awards, hosted by Downtown Liverpool. We also learned that Sciontec’s head of property and operations George Barclay has been shortlisted for Insider’s Young Professionals Awards.

Our KQ Futures Programme – part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone – continued at pace, with students from three different local schools and colleges visiting innovation sites within KQ Liverpool and learning more about the incredible range of careers that are available on their doorstep.

Emily joined chief executive Colin Sinclair and head of marketing Sally Bloor at MIPIM, the annual international real estate and investment conference in Cannes, where the team helped to showcase a range of exciting opportunities within KQ Liverpool.

These included updated plans for HEMISPHERE, a pair of £156m laboratory and workspace innovation developments by Sciontec. Located at Paddington Village, HEMISPHERE will offer a unique combination of chemistry labs, data labs, bio labs and innovation labs, alongside incubator and grow-on space, with some of the world’s most advanced facilities.

It was announced that HEMISPHERE Two will be home to a new double-height robotics and AI-enabled chemistry  laboratory space on the ground floor to help drive innovation research and develop manufacturing capability. Plans for biology and chemistry labs at HEMISPHERE One are already underway, with work expected to begin later this year, supported by funding from Liverpool City Council’s Strategic Futures fund and the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone. 

Sciontec also confirmed that Morgan Sindall has been appointed as preferred contractor at HEMISPHERE One, with Worthington Owen and Avison Young instructed as leasing agents. Carter Jonas has been appointed as leasing agent for HEMISPHERE Two.

Completing the round of major announcements, it was revealed that Sciontec has acquired CENTRAL TECH, a new 27,000 sq ft urban technology building on Copperas Hill that will open on May 1 following a commitment of fresh investment to create a global hub for innovation in health, life sciences, technology and digitalisation, utilising the ultrafast LCR Connect network. 

Meanwhile, members of the KQ Liverpool team have been active at events across the city region, taking part in meaningful conversations around innovation careers and skills development. 

Among those events were All About STEM’s Experience of the Workplace in partnership with Liverpool City Region Careers Hub at Liverpool Hope University, where our Skills Project Co-ordinator Codi Ellis and Inclusive Innovation Officer Rachel Newman spoke with more than 150 Year 8 students about careers in the Liverpool City Region. 

Our head of partnerships and external relations, Claire Kidman, attended Knowsley Hall to mark 10 years of Club Liverpool. The event celebrated the significant economic impact that conferences bring to the region. Congratulations to all colleagues who were recognised for their outstanding contributions.

We have also engaged with LCR Careers Hub and partner organisations around equalex, a new work experience programme for which LCR is one of four pilot areas. This was in addition to two round table discussions around the green skills agenda and shaping futures for women in science.

So, as April approaches and the weather gradually improves, we will briefly catch our collective breath before embracing the many exciting events and opportunities that are heading our way in the coming months.

National Careers Week: KQ Futures team highlights

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National Careers Week is a one-week celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. It aims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar, to help support young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways.

This year, National Careers Week ran from 3rd to 8th March, and our KQ Futures team were kept very busy, getting involved in a number of events, visits and sessions, to increase awareness, inform and inspire local young people on their career journeys. 

One of the main activities took place on Wednesday 5th March, when we ran a Future Innovators Day, a key strand of our KQ Futures programme, part of the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone. Ten students from Dixons Fazakerley Academy, aged between fourteen and fifteen, were invited to visit the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool innovation district, to experience the range of innovative careers available to them on their doorstep.

The Year 10 students met with local businesses who employ hundreds of people working across the science, technology and engineering sectors, and undertook a tour of their facilities at Sciontec owned Liverpool Science Park.

Guest speakers on the day included colleagues from Liverpool John Moores University’s Astrophysics Research Institute who shared insights into their own career journeys and offered practical advice for routes into STEM careers.

The Future Innovators Day tour also took the students to visit the University of Liverpool, enabling them to explore their state of the art Digital Innovation Facility, where collaborative exploration of emerging research and digital technologies help accelerate innovation.

The KQ Futures team received extremely positive feedback from the students and teachers who attended, with one teacher describing the day as “extremely enlightening” and that “the students gained so much out of it”. Another added that “I most sincerely believe that your innovation day has inspired our students.”

Another key event during National Careers Week was KQ Liverpool’s ‘In The Know’ breakfast, on Thursday 6th March, which had a focus of Accelerating Action thanks to the date also correlating with International Women’s Day.

Over 60 attendees gathered to hear a panel of leading industry experts share their insights into breaking down the obstacles impeding women’s progress and gender inequality, as well as enjoying some informal networking.

Facilitated by Rachel Newman (KQ Liverpool), the expert panel included Jen Fenner (DefProc Engineering), Prof. Ana Brás (Liverpool John Moores University) and Philippa Glover (Philippa Glover Ltd). Key topics discussed included the need for more female founders, skills needed for future careers, and innovative ways to inspire young women to take up careers within health, science and technology right here in the Liverpool City Region.

During National Careers Week, members of the KQ Liverpool team were also invited to a roundtable hosted by LCR Careers Hub to mark the launch of modern work experience pilot, equalex, which is one of four national pilots launched across the UK.  The pilot focuses on introducing meaningful work experience to improve work readiness and employability skills for young people.  Whilst in the programme’s infancy, we were delighted to be involved in discussions on how to shape this programme moving forward and are excited to see how the developments support the future talent pool of Liverpool City Region in the years to come.

A key part of our 2040 Vision is to inspire the next generation of innovators, and getting involved with large scale initiatives, like National Careers Week, is just one way we are delivering our mission to create a place that is both inclusive and inspirational for generations to come, through fostering transformation, raising aspirations and showcasing innovation.